Growing the Green Way Class Series

Join N.C. Cooperative Extension for a class series to help you expand your gardening skills this spring! Classes include:

Planning the 3-Season Vegetable Garden
Vegetable gardening is especially rewarding in the Piedmont because we can grow food at least 10 months of the year! The key is good planning and succession planting. January is the perfect time to start getting ready; let’s talk about the simple ways to get the most out of your personal planting space.

Tuesday, January 8th at 6:30 PM - Cooperative Extension

Thursday, January 10th at 6:30 PM - Glenn McNairy Branch Library

Monday, January 14th at 6:30 PM - Kathleen Clay Edwards Library

Sunday, January 20th at 4:00 PM - Greensboro Arboretum

Proper Pruning Prevents Poor Plant Performance
The art of pruning does not mean shearing shrubs into green meatballs (yikes!). Our discussion will cover the tools, techniques, and especially the timing for pruning small ornamental trees and shrubs and how doing it right (and only as needed) is the easy way to have healthier, prettier, and longer‐lived plants. *****Note: this program does not cover the specific pruning needs of fruit trees.*****

Tuesday, January 22nd at 6:30 PM - Cooperative Extension

Thursday, January 24th at 6:30 PM - Glenn McNairy Branch Library

Sunday, January 27th at 4:00 PM - Greensboro Arboretum

Monday, January 28th at 6:30 PM - Kathleen Clay Edwards Library

Totally Tomatoes - All About Our Favorite Fruit
It’s time to start planning, that’s the key to enjoying the taste of your own home-grown tomatoes. That’s all we’ll be talking about in this session – proven tips and techniques for successfully growing America’s most popular garden vegetable (or is it a fruit?). Get ready for tomato sandwiches all summer long!

Tuesday, February 5th at 6:30 PM - Cooperative Extension

Thursday, February 7th at 6:30 PM - Glenn McNairy Branch Library

Sunday, February 10th at 4:00 PM - Greensboro Arboretum

Wednesday, February 13th at 6:30 PM - Kathleen Clay Edwards Library

Beautiful and Sustainable Lawns - A Greener Yard
Have a sustainable lawn by knowing and using good growing practices all year, it will save you time and money as well as reduce environmental impact. Establish a healthy stand of grass with good planning and sensible management - you’ll have a beautiful lawn and minimize issues with weeds and diseases.

Thursday, February 14th at 6:30 PM - Glenn McNairy Branch Library

Monday, February 18th at 6:30 PM - Kathleen Clay Edwards Library

Tuesday, February 19th at 6:30 PM - Cooperative Extension

Sunday, February 24th at 4:00 PM - Greensboro Arboretum

Grow Your Best Vegetable Garden
Learning and following best practices leads to best results in your vegetable garden. Topics will include how to prepare soil, the selection and timing of vegetable varieties, good upkeep, and using integrated pest management techniques to control insects and diseases organically. Growing your own food can be economical, educational, and fun!

Tuesday, February 26th at 6:30 PM - Cooperative Extension

Thursday, February 28th at 6:30 PM - Glenn McNairy Branch Library

Sunday, March 3rd at 4:00 PM - Greensboro Arboretum

Monday, March 4th at 6:30 PM - Kathleen Clay Edwards Library

Made in the Shade - Great Gardens in Lower Light
An abundance of large trees and shady areas in the yard is just a challenge to the creative gardener, not an obstacle. Gardening in the shade doesn’t have to be frustrating! We’ll discuss a variety of shrubs, annuals, perennials, and woodland plants that will brighten and add color to your shady retreat.

Tuesday, March 12th at 6:30 PM - Cooperative Extension

Thursday, March 14th at 6:30 PM - Glenn McNairy Branch Library

Sunday, March 17th at 4:00 PM - Greensboro Arboretum

Monday, March 18th at 6:30 PM - Kathleen Clay Edwards Library

Backyard Habitat - Gardening for (and in spite of!) Wildlife
One of the many joys of gardening is the chance to observe and support nature. Birds, butterflies, and other creatures find needed habitat in our yards – this program is about how to make them welcome. We’ll also talk about some ways to discourage a few of the uninvited guests who may sometimes come to the party.

Tuesday, March 26th at 6:30 PM - Cooperative Extension

Thursday, March 28th at 6:30 PM - Glenn McNairy Branch Library

Sunday, March 31st at 4:00 PM - Greensboro Arboretum

Monday, April 8th at 6:30 PM - Kathleen Clay Edwards Library

Flowerpot Food: Grow Herbs and Vegetables in Containers
If you have limited space, sun, or time - a set of containers can be a wonderfully productive garden space. Grow some of your own vegetables and herbs to eat better and also save on your food budget! We'll cover all the basics of the best ways to do it: with the right location, good timing, an easy plan, and a little tending.

Tuesday, April 9th at 6:30 PM - Cooperative Extension

Thursday, April 11th at 6:30 PM - Glenn McNairy Branch Library

Sunday, April 14th at 4:00 PM - Greensboro Arboretum

Wednesday, April 17th at 6:30 PM - Kathleen Clay Edwards Library

Culinary Herbs
Eat healthier and tastier with home grown culinary herbs from your garden or containers! We can grow parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme – and the pizza herbs like basil and oregano – and many more. By knowing the characteristics of the plants, you can have fun growing the herbs you want to use in your kitchen.